Live Music: On a Night of Stars, Virgo rose highest

over the course of its long run,

the efficacy of the Rising Stars show as a vehicle for creating, well..... stars, has at times come under question. For every Christopher Martin and Brown Shuga (well, jury's still out there), there are myriad cold trails and broken dreams.

Despite all this, Romain Virgo made a very powerful argument in favour of the competition on Saturday night last, as he headlined  the latest in the exemplary Keesing Live series produced and presented by Alternative Music at their self-named Keesing Avenue venue.

In truth Virgo and his ace band, The Unit, showed the fruits of an extensive European swing in a sparkling set that encompassed the bulk of his growing catalog along a few worthy covers. The sprightly singer also took time to invite a few friends to shine with him, notably DJ Busy Signal and Agent Sasco(Assassin), and also related to his audience with heart-felt statements of gratitude.

With show producer Sharon Schroeter and here crew in attendance, the Rising Stars theme was was in full effect and the first spark came from former finalist Sharona Jonas, who moved energetically through a welcome range of selections, doing almost everything but her now famous split move. In truth, it was hardly missed as Jonas held her own vocally (in a manner slightly reminiscent of the late Nell Carter) and served notice that she will be a force to reckon with on the live scene especially down the road. Another "rising" outfit, the Conscious Rebelz, backed Jonas through her set.

Also appearing, to great effect, was former Red Stripe Big Break winner, Prophecy who, along with his own crack band put on an engaging set of newer material (he has an EP currently making the rounds) and his standbys such as "Break Loose" as well as some choice reggae classics.

 The Rebelz would also be on the stand for for a more established star, singer George Nooks, not heard from on the local circuit for some time. Emcee Tommy Cowan brought the reggae veteran on stage to a crescendo of cheers and whistles and he worked the venue - by then almost packed to capacity - with consummate ease.

The competition may well be decided by the time of this reading, but on the night the three remaining finalists, all ladies, gave pleasing accounts of themselves, the moreso for the fact that each used their own personality and attitude to overcome a momentary glitch with the accompanying tracks (in at least one case, longer than momentary). Of the Jody-Kay made the best impression on this writer, particularly with her reading of Aretha Franklin's pop smash "Freeway of Love".

At the start of the evening, 2013 Rising Stars alum, Kenny Smith, made like a James Taylor for Gen-X, strumming his guitar and gently yet volubly delivering his lines about "getting the Range Rover". The protoge of TOK's Craigy T, young Smith provides a welcome antidote to the "volume-addicted" batch of male singers/singjays out there, well capable of sustaining passion without shouting.

All in all, it was another feather in the collective cap of producers Booby Stewart and Charmaine Limonious; a show that starts on time, and steers clear of the dominant entertainment motifs: loudness. lewdness, lassiez-faire execution. In short, a venue that deserves to be filled to bursting every time.